Some cool video from local resident Logan Marks (http://www.loganmarksmedia.com) of black bears swimming & playing in Deep Creek Lake at Sky Valley. He shot this from his kayak ‘whilst holding his poodle’ and camera gear.

Sky Valley CubsI was trying my best to get photos, but I did shoot a few clips. Sorry for the wobbly video. It was pretty challenging to get steady shots on a kayak whilst holding a 3lb poodle and a camera with a 70-200 lens.

While black bears are typically found in western Maryland (Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick counties), sightings in suburban areas are not uncommon this time of year.

In May and June of each year, 1 ½ year-old bears disperse, sometimes more than 100 miles, to find a suitable territory of their own. In recent years, DNR has confirmed black bear sightings in Montgomery, Carroll, Baltimore, Howard, Harford, Cecil, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s counties. Sightings typically peak in late June and early July, but may persist throughout summer months. These juvenile bears, which can weigh anywhere between 65 and 200 pounds, eventually move on to more attractive bear habitat.

DNR advises that black bears may be seen any time of day and are typically not aggressive. Below are precautions and tips when dealing with bear encounters.

GARRETT COUNTY, Md. —A baby boom is boosting the black bear population in Maryland, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

DNR officials estimate that 750 bear cubs were born in western Maryland this season.

As the ice melts on Deep Creek Lake, teams from the DNR are carrying out a rite of spring in western Maryland, tracking newborn black bears.

But before bear biologist Harry Spiker can count cubs, he has to tranquilize the mother bear. Veterinarians give the sedated mother, called a sow, a checkup.

“We look at how healthy the sow is, number of cubs, how healthy they look, and it gives them an idea of the health of the whole population here,” said Ellen Bronson, a senior veterinarian from The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.

Cooling fall temperatures signal black bears to begin a period of increased feeding activity to prepare for hibernation. During this time bears may be attracted to human-provided food sources ─ such as trash, pet food and birdfeeders ─ and lose their natural fear of people, which can lead to dangerous encounters and conflicts.

Keeping trash and pet food in a place where bears can’t get to it is the best way to avoid problems with bears. Citizens should also delay feeding songbirds until the winter months to avoid attracting these animals.

— OAKLAND — A Westminster couple was injured Tuesday when they were thrown from their motorcycle after striking a bear on Herrington Manor Road, according to the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office.

William Wantz, 59, and Debra Wantz, 58, were both taken to the hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries following the 11:15 a.m. crash.

Police said William Wantz was riding a 2007 Harley-Davidson with Debra Wantz as a passenger when the bear entered the southbound lane. Wantz was unable to avoid striking the 75-pound bear, which was killed.

Bears are beginning to leave their winter dens and search for food now that their long winter slumber has come to an end. Since natural foods are scarce in the early spring, they often seek out human-provided sources. Those living in, or visiting bear country can help keep Maryland’s black bears wild by being proactive and exercising good judgment.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources urges residents to clean or remove anything outdoors that may smell like food. This includes:

locking garbage in a bear-proof trash container, or keep it inside a building until the day of pick-up;

rinsing trash containers with ammonia to eliminate food odors;

storing cooking grills inside or keep them clean of food residue; and

removing birdfeeders from April through November ─ there are many wild food sources for birds during this time period.

For more information on living and camping around bears click here or call the Western Region DNR Service Center at 301-777-2136.

GARRETT COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) — A growing black bear population means more bears are being hunted this week in Maryland.

Alex DeMetrick reports like the bears, the hunt is spreading.

As Deep Creek Lake settles into autumn, trucks pull in and out of a Department of Natural Resources check-in station carrying dead black bears. There is no restriction on size or age during the annual hunt, but there is a promise.

“What we promised all along–we would never wipe out the bear population with this well-regulated hunt,” said Paul Peditto, DNR.

Nine years ago, when the hunt started, there were 500 bears in Maryland. Now it’s estimated at 1,000, so the harvest quota is up. Thirty bears were taken the first year of the hunt in 2004. This year, between 95 and 130 will be taken as their range has spread from Garrett and Allegany counties east into Washington and Frederick counties.

Even though black bears are common in Garrett County, seeing one going about its business is almost always a thrill. This particular bear was spotted by, and photographed by, Pete Versteegen one morning a few weeks ago. The bear climbed a wild cherry tree, Versteegen reported, and munched on the cherries for about 15 minutes, then climbed down, but kept eating the cherries by bending the branches to his (or her) mouth. The bear was sporting two tags, one in each ear, so someone from the Department of Natural Resources had already met him. Versteegen said the bear wandered along the dock awhile, as if trying to decide whether or not to go for a swim. Apparently he decided against that and went on his way. The dock is on the Versteegen property in the Lake Pointe at Wisp development. All residents are cautioned, as always, to keep a safe distance away from the wild animals when watching them outside. Black bear attacks of humans are rare but not unheard of, so all are urged to be wary.